Miniature Cattle

[SRobles]

Any one raise miniature cattle on here?

[georgec]

I would love to raise some, but the prices are generally quite high. I have been thinking about buying smallish standard breeds, then breed to miniature with AI.

[Sher]

LOL..why breed miniature animals when you can have REALLY small Dexters? Just a thought. Good luck on your cattle!

[francismilker]

I'd try Dexters if they weren't so expensive and so hard to get in my area. They're not the most common critter in my part of the world. From what I've seen on the prices, you can buy a full size slaughter beef ready to go to the freezer for what you can buy an unbred dexter heifer for. Sometimes I feel when you get into "novelty" stock you start paying more for it. (Not that I'm trying to be offensive of the breed. I think they'd be an excellent idea for the family milk cow due to size and production. I just don't think I can justify paying more money for less product.)

On the miniature question: I do have a miniature jersey that I received by fluke or accident. I bought a heifer last year from the sale that appeared to be a six month old jersey heifer. She was very healthy and filled out with a good slick coat. Once I got her home and vaccinated her my DVM said she was at least two years old. She's short bred now to my Jersey bull and stands about 40" at the top of her back. She probably weighs in at 600lbs. Her disposition is great and I think she will be a good milker when she freshens. I'm glad I didn't have to pay for the "miniature". I understand the phrase "miniature" means, "Get out your pocket book. This is going to cost you."!!!!!!

[ebook]

I would second the Dexter idea. I do realize that there can be a larger up front cost for a Dexter, but it will be less than most other "miniature" breeds. I think you just have to search around a bit. I have seen registered heifers for as low as $400 and registered bred cows for $600. To me that seems reasonable.

[genebo]

Francismilker,

You've been looking in the wrong places. You can find Dexters at reasonable prices in Oklahoma and Missouri.

Look at this Dexter bull. The owner's contact info is listed. He has some nice Dexters for sale:

http://www.dextercattle.org/pedigree...&Page=1&Sort=0

Or, you can go to

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/D...A/message/5054

for a list of Dexters for sale in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

Then there's always the site:

www.dextercattle4sale.net

where Dan keeps a huge list of Dexters for sale all across the country.

I'm sold out right now, but I usually sell my Dexter bull calves for just a little bit higher than an Angus feeder calf. Of course he's about half the size, but that's the whole point of miniature cattle.

Genebo
Paradise farm